Known as Mr. DeMarathon, Clarence DeMar is a legendary figure in the annals of the Boston Marathon. On his first appearance in the race in 1910 he finished second and the following year he won the race, setting a course record in the process. DeMar, a printer by trade and a devoted lay preacher, then took a five-year break from competition. This decision was taken because a doctor, apparently little-versed in examining the well-conditioned athlete’s heart, which was common in that era, thought he had a heart condition. After his return to competition, DeMar’s final Boston record read seven victories, three seconds, and two thirds. His last victory in 1930, made DeMar at 41, the oldest winner on record. At the Olympics, DeMar finished 12th in 1912, third in 1924, and 27th in 1928. He was a graduate of the University of Vermont, and attended Harvard briefly as a graduate student.
Personal Best: Mar – 2-18:10 (1922).
United States